Kid-Friendly Summer Adventures!

Planning summer family fun in Columbus, Indiana? Explore these kid-friendly activities, from The Commons and kidscommons to paddling, pools, downtown treats, and more. Save these family-friendly stops to your trip!

Whether your crew loves hands-on museums, outdoor adventures, splash-worthy fun, sweet treats, or unique wildlife encounters, you'll find activities for every age and interest.

Explore the Giant Indoor Playground

Smack in the heart of downtown, The Commons offers a free indoor playground with towering climbers, age-specific play zones, and a mesmerizing kinetic sculpture by Jean Tinguely. Perfect for any weather, it’s a kid-favorite and parent-approved hangout.

Get Flushed in the World's Largest Toilet

This imaginative children’s museum is jam-packed with fun, hands-on learning. Explore science exhibits, creative play areas, and the famous world’s largest toilet! Ideal for curious kids ages 1–12 looking to play and learn at the same time.

Credit: Tony Vasquez

Ice Cream Adventures

An iconic 1900s ice cream parlor, Zaharakos is a Columbus gem. Inside, you’ll find an old-world soda fountain, player organs, and homemade waffle cones. The towering sundaes are perfect for sharing, if you’re feeling generous. For even more summer sweetness, stop by Kovener’s Korner, a new Columbus favorite where families can cool off with soft-serve cones, sundaes, and hand-dipped classics.

Chill Out with Indoor Ice Skating

Do you need to beat the summer heat? Head indoors to Hamilton Ice Arena for open skate sessions that keep the whole family cool and active. It’s a great twist on summer fun and perfect for both beginner and seasoned skaters. Plus, the building has some interesting architecture if you want to learn more!

Public times from May – August are Friday and Saturday only, please check here for public hours.

Make a splash!

CERAland is your family’s summer HQ: with a kids-only play pool, complete with fun water features designed just for them, mini golf, playgrounds, and ball courts, all in one sprawling location. It’s a full-day destination your kids won’t want to leave.

Or spend the day at the Donner Aquatic Center, where you can enjoy an 8-lane, 50-meter lap pool, a thrilling 20-foot-tall waterslide that stretches 160 feet, and a diving well featuring two 1-meter diving boards. For more relaxed fun, check out the leisure pool complete with a playful structure and refreshing fountains.

Both are open to the public for a small fee.

Climb to New Heights at the Indoor Rock Gym

Take your summer to new levels at Columbus Rocks Climbing and Fitness, where families can try bouldering, rock climbing, and special event nights like “Glow Climb.” It’s a fun and active indoor adventure for climbers of all ages.

Credit: Kayla Rodriguez

Discover WWII History

For older kids and parents who love history, this free aviation museum is a hidden gem. Learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, check out vintage planes, and explore detailed exhibits on Columbus’s WWII-era air base.

Try FootGolf

If your family likes both soccer and goofy fun, FootGolf is a must. Played with a soccer ball and oversized holes, this mashup of soccer and golf is easy to learn and a blast for all ages. Head to the Par 3 Golf Course and get kicking!

Practice Your Swing

Whether your kids are future golf pros or just looking for a new adventure, ChampionZone Virtual Golf & Patriot Café offers a fun, interactive experience the whole family can enjoy. With state-of-the-art golf simulators featuring famous courses from around the world, kids can practice their swing, play games, and experience golf in a way that feels more like an arcade than a lesson.

Credit: ChampionZone

Paddle & Picnic on the River

Round out your summer with a float down the Driftwood River via Blue’s Canoe Livery Rentals. Paddle through a secluded wildlife preserve and the Camp Atterbury wilderness, where you might spot deer, herons, and even wild turkeys. Mild rapids add a touch of excitement, and camping is available for those seeking a true nature adventure.

*Children must be over the age of 4

Explore Downtown for the Day

Spend a full day soaking up the charm of downtown Columbus. Start your morning at the Columbus Farmers Market (Saturday mornings), where you can grab breakfast and a coffee while admiring the “parade” of dogs, and the occasional cat, bunny, or goat!

From there, wander through local boutiques, explore public art installations, or pick up a new book for some parkside reading. Head into nearby Mill Race Park to relax by the water, explore the public art or let the kids enjoy the playground. Grab lunch or ice cream downtown, and if you’re lucky, stick around for live music or an outdoor movie in the park. It’s the perfect mix of local flavor, laid-back fun, and memorable family moments.

Learn about Wildlife

Get up close with Indiana’s wildest residents at Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators! Check current tour availability before visiting for guided tours where families can meet rescued owls, hawks, foxes, turtles, and more. Kids will love learning about these amazing animals and the work that goes into their care and rehabilitation. Plan to bring water and a good pair of walking shoes, the paths are gravel and the terrain can be uneven. Tickets are a $10 donation per person, and children 5 and under are free. It’s educational, inspiring, and a perfect summer outing for animal lovers of all ages.

Hunt for Antique Treasures

Turn a trip to the Exit 76 Antique Mall into a family adventure! With over 600 booths to explore, each packed with vintage toys, quirky collectibles, and unexpected treasures, it’s the perfect place to spark curiosity across generations.

Make it a friendly competition, who can find the coolest, weirdest, or oldest item? The winner gets an extra scoop of ice cream or their favorite treat afterward. It’s bargain hunting meets memory-making, and everyone walks away with a story.

Find Some Bugs & Take a Hike

If your kids love to roam, dig, and discover, a summer hike is the perfect mini adventure. Head to the Brown County trails for shady, wooded paths full of buzzing cicadas, fluttering butterflies, and maybe even a friendly toad. Don’t miss the lookout spots and view the scenic forest for miles!

For something a little wilder, Anderson Falls offers a rugged trail with a stunning waterfall, shallow creekbeds, and plenty of rocks to climb and bugs to examine. Bring water shoes, a net, and a container, you never know what curious critters you’ll spot!